‘Think the matter over,’ replied the other. ‘I will wait, if you please. I deceived you once. It is fair that I should submit to your decision now.’
He closed the door and went to the window, where he stood still, looking out into the dusk, and turning his back upon Greif. The latter paused an instant, and then came forward and laid one hand upon his friend’s shoulder. He acted still under the same impulse of generosity which had first prompted him to keep Rex back.
‘Rex—it depends upon you. If you will, we shall be friends as ever.’
‘I?’ exclaimed Rex, turning suddenly. ‘With all my heart. Is there anything I desire more?’
‘Good—so be it, then!’ answered Greif taking his hand boldly.
‘So be it!’ repeated Rex.
‘And now,’ said Greif, ‘why did you choose this moment to tell me your secret?’
‘Do you want to know? There is a reason for that, too, and not a pleasant one.’
‘I can hear it.’ ‘To-night my father will sleep under your father’s house. You will hear the news before morning. To-morrow I shall leave here to meet him in Switzerland—or not, as the case may be. He has been refused the benefit of the amnesty, but he will be allowed to leave the country quietly. I cannot leave him alone any longer.’
Greif turned a little pale at the intelligence.